We have all seen an office building, whether it’s the 104 floor World Trade Center in New York City or the 5 floor office you work in. Many of these buildings house a multitude of different businesses. This begs the question, how do you protect your business when you share a space with multiple tenants? You don’t know their clientele or who is coming and going on a regular basis, just as they don’t know yours.

The security challenges that face business owners in a multi-tenant office space are diverse as each tenant is providing a different service with individualized needs. At Perfect Connections, Inc. we have been providing security system solutions to businesses throughout northern and central New Jersey for the past 23 years. Our experts understand the security complexities business owners and facility managers encounter on a daily basis, and we can provide an individualized plan specific to your company’s needs.

What security challenges do companies face in a multi-tenant space, and how can they be overcome?

A major challenge for tenants and facilities managers is communication. As each business within a shared space operates differently, they’re likely going to have different security needs. These needs should be clearly communicated with the building owner, facilities manager, and security systems provider. If you’re a business that requires a higher level of secured access into the main building, and your office space, that should be discussed up front.

Often times in a shared building there are already security features in the entrance or lobby. These areas serve as an initial means of access control, but different business owners may have different desired security restrictions. For example, the company next door to you might not require a sign-in or check-in with security upon arrival, but maybe your company does. Why does this matter? It may affect how you secure your individual office space within the building. You may not want another company’s client or employee accidentally wandering into your space. A building owner or manager may have their own set of restrictions for each tenant as well, so having that conversation up front is imperative. By having your own security in place you lessen the chances of workplace violence and employee theft from unauthorized entrants as well as within your own business.

Providing your employees with an emergency plan or protocol is important. The buildings facilities manager will likely already have a plan for the entire building that includes alarm testing, drills, and escape routes. You may be the type of company that wants to run your own emergency drills. Running emergency drills is a great way to ensure your employees are prepared. However, when running preparatory drills be sure to inform your neighbors and the facilities personnel to avoid confusion and unneeded chaos. It might be beneficial to hold a meeting about emergency procedures with the building manager and neighboring company owners to come up with a cohesive plan. That way you reduce the risk of complete panic if everyone is on the same page.

Construction and renovation within office buildings is not uncommon. Redistributing space or accumulating office space can pose a security challenge for tenants. During a renovation your building becomes a host to a multitude of people that you aren’t used to seeing on a daily basis. This includes construction workers, architects, inspectors etc. While these people are likely respectable individuals, you don’t know them, and you may not want them accidentally entering your space.

While most would agree a comprehensive security system is better to install during the initial stages of building construction, it doesn’t always happen that way. In some buildings you may have tenants that opt for an individualized security system after moving in. When acquiring space, you may run into old or inefficient security systems that do not align with what you might have in your current space. To ensure your security system is cohesive and efficient you should involve your security systems provider during the initial design phase for the new space. This will help make sure your current space is protected during the construction phase, and that all components will work seamlessly once completed. According to Sean Ahrens, a senior security consultant with Schirmer Engineering (in regards to access control and alarm monitoring), “The only way to address those issues is with communication during the design process.” He’s right, and this concept applies to all security issues a tenant may have.

While securing your business within a multi-tenant space can be complex, the technical side would be covered by your security systems provider. It’s up to you as the owner to communicate your desired outcome, get the right professionals involved from the start, and to have a vision for how you want your company protected. Here at Perfect Connections, Inc. we’ve been providing comprehensive security system solutions to companies throughout central and northern New Jersey since 1992. We provide everything from access controls to video surveillance and so much more. Our team can assess the risks specific to your business and provide a customized system to help you protect what matters most.

If you live or run a business in Central or Northern New Jersey and would like information on any of the topics discussed above, please call 800-369-3962 or simply CLICK HERE.

As a property manager you have a lot of people that depend on the safety and security of the real estate you oversee. Whether or not you own the properties you rent, or work with a landlord in managing their properties, a bulk of the responsibility lies on your shoulders. Your main goal is to attract responsible patrons, keep them, and build your brand. How can you do that if the property you oversee is publicly perceived to be too risky or unsafe? That’s the problem, if there has been an incident at a property that you own the public tends to remember and will likely steer clear of that address.

This negative reaction can be limited by implementing preventative security measures that meet the needs of your tenants and the risks associated with the surrounding area. One of the best preventative measures you can take as a property manager is to incorporate a comprehensive security system in combination with defined property protocols. At Perfect Connections, Inc. our licensed integrators provide comprehensive security system solutions that suit your specific needs. We have been installing security systems in facilities and residences throughout northern and central New Jersey for the past 23 years. Our team recognizes the challenges property managers face dealing with multiple properties both commercial and residential. We specialize in comprehensive security systems that include fire and burglar alarms, access control solutions, video surveillance, and system monitoring.

Trying to determine what type of security system is necessary for a specific property can be difficult that’s why it is important to involve a security professional from the start. This is especially true for new construction projects. Involving a security integrator from the start will ensure you are getting the coverage you need and create a seamless installation process.

One of the first and most important procedures to tackle is a risk assessment. A risk assessment should include a licensed security systems integrator and it should be performed as early on as possible. This will help determine where your greatest security threats are and how best to tackle them. The next step would be to design a custom security system that helps combat those threats.

While every security system application will be different dependent on the location there are some key components that will benefit most buildings. Video surveillance is a major security feature that is essential to any comprehensive system. The mere presence of a camera system is sometimes enough to deter potential criminals. It helps keep an eye on your property even when you can’t be there, it also gives your tenants a peace of mind knowing their public spaces are being looked after.

Access control is another important piece of the security system pie. It helps limit who and how people can gain entry and sometimes exit. Access control can be implemented in a number of ways. Often times a credential is issued to the approved users and they typically come in the form of a swipe card, a fob, or a proximity card. These credentials are used in conjunction with an electronic reader installed by the desired entry point. Using access control credentials instead of traditional keys helps prevent lost or stolen items from being duplicated. A similar type of idea can be used with parking lots and garages as well.

Fire and burglar alarms in combination with access control, video surveillance, and an alarm monitoring service make for a comprehensive security system. A security systems integrator helps ensure your fire alarm is installed and operates according to national and local codes. Having an alarm monitoring service will help alert you and the proper authorities at the first sign of a disturbance. With today’s technology there’s the potential to remotely monitor what is going on at your facilities through an app on your smartphone. Mobile apps typically have the capability to send you notifications if an alarm is triggered, or you can customize the type of notifications you want to receive. This could be particularly beneficial if you own multiple properties in different areas. A security system is meant to be a purveyor of safety and convenience. It helps protect your property investments and your patrons.

There is no “one-stop” security solution for any facility or residence. That is why it is imperative to involve a security systems integrator, they will assess the risks associated with your particular facility and design a system that suits your specific needs. As a property manager you have people that depend on you to maintain the facilities they utilize, and security should be a factor in that maintenance. Even if installing a security system isn’t your decision to make, it’s worth bringing up to whomever would make that choice. Having a comprehensive security system can be a good selling point to your clients and a way to keep them. Our team at Perfect Connections, Inc. has been providing comprehensive security system solutions to facilities throughout northern and central New Jersey since 1992. We understand the value a security system can add to a facility and the sense of safety it instills in those it is meant to protect.

If you live, run a business, or manage properties in Central or Northern New Jersey and would like information on any of the topics discussed above, please call 800-369-3962 or simply CLICK HERE.

We have all seen an office building, whether it’s the new 104 floor World Trade Center in New York City or the 5 floor office you work in. Many of these buildings house a multitude of different businesses. This begs the question, how do you protect your business when you share a space with multiple tenants? You don’t know their clientele or who is coming and going on a regular basis, just as they don’t know yours.

The security challenges that face business owners in a multi-tenant office space are diverse as each tenant is providing a different service with individualized needs. At Perfect Connections, Inc. we have been providing security system solutions to businesses throughout northern and central New Jersey for the past 23 years. Our experts understand the security complexities business owners and facility managers encounter on a daily basis, and we can provide an individualized plan specific to your company’s needs.

What security challenges do companies face in a multi-tenant space, and how can they be overcome?

A major challenge for tenants and facilities managers is communication. As each business within a shared space operates differently, they’re likely going to have different security needs. These needs should be clearly communicated with the building owner, facilities manager, and security systems provider. If you’re a business that requires a higher level of secured access into the main building, and your office space, that should be discussed up front.

Often times in a shared building there are already security features in the entrance or lobby. These areas serve as an initial means of access control, but different business owners may have different desired security restrictions. For example, the company next door to you might not require a sign-in or check-in with security upon arrival, but maybe your company does. Why does this matter? It may affect how you secure your individual office space within the building. You may not want another company’s client or employee accidentally wandering into your space. A building owner or manager may have their own set of restrictions for each tenant as well, so having that conversation up front is imperative. By having your own security in place you lessen the chances of workplace violence and employee theft from unauthorized entrants as well as within your own business.

Providing your employees with an emergency plan or protocol is important. The buildings facilities manager will likely already have a plan for the entire building that includes alarm testing, drills, and escape routes. You may be the type of company that wants to run your own emergency drills. Running emergency drills is a great way to ensure your employees are prepared. However, when running preparatory drills be sure to inform your neighbors and the facilities personnel to avoid confusion and unneeded chaos. It might be beneficial to hold a meeting about emergency procedures with the building manager and neighboring company owners to come up with a cohesive plan. That way you reduce the risk of complete panic if everyone is on the same page.

Construction and renovation within office buildings is not uncommon. Redistributing space or accumulating office space can pose a security challenge for tenants. During a renovation your building becomes a host to a multitude of people that you aren’t used to seeing on a daily basis. This includes construction workers, architects, inspectors etc. While these people are likely respectable individuals, you don’t know them, and you may not want them accidentally entering your space.

While most would agree a comprehensive security system is better to install during the initial stages of building construction, it doesn’t always happen that way. In some buildings you may have tenants that opt for an individualized security system after moving in. When acquiring space, you may run into old or inefficient security systems that do not align with what you might have in your current space. To ensure your security system is cohesive and efficient you should involve your security systems provider during the initial design phase for the new space. This will help make sure your current space is protected during the construction phase, and that all components will work seamlessly once completed. According to Sean Ahrens, a senior security consultant with Schirmer Engineering (in regards to access control and alarm monitoring), “The only way to address those issues is with communication during the design process.” He’s right, and this concept applies to all security issues a tenant may have.

While securing your business within a multi-tenant space can be complex, the technical side would be covered by your security systems provider. It’s up to you as the owner to communicate your desired outcome, get the right professionals involved from the start, and to have a vision for how you want your company protected. Here at Perfect Connections, Inc. we’ve been providing comprehensive security system solutions to companies throughout central and northern New Jersey since 1992. We provide everything from access controls to video surveillance and so much more. Our team can assess the risks specific to your business and provide a customized system to help you protect what matters most.

If you live or run a business in Central or Northern New Jersey and would like information on any of the topics discussed above, please call 800-369-3962 or simply CLICK HERE.